AASCU American Democracy Project

ADP’s goal is to produce college and university graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to be informed and engaged citizens ready to tackle current and future issues to ensure a thriving, equitable democracy.

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ (AASCU’s) American Democracy Project (ADP) – a network of nearly 300 public colleges and universities serving 2.7 million students across 48 states nationwide – is committed to equipping students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to be informed and engaged citizens. AASCU institutions represent the largest undergraduate cohort in the country. We also serve the most diverse demographic with 42 percent of the nation’s first-generation students and 49 percent of all minority undergraduate students, including 61 percent of all African American students, and 45 percent of all Hispanic students in undergraduate education. AASCU’s members include 38 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Our work to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and experiences to be informed and engaged citizens, ready to address the current and future challenges facing our society and a thriving, equitable democracy is more important than ever. Our campuses live the mission of public higher education for the public good and the commitment to strengthening the economic and social capital of our regions and the nation is integrated throughout the work we do with the leadership, staff, faculty and students on our campuses.

ADP’s work is a combination of national multi-campus initiatives managed from the AASCU office in Washington, D.C. and uniquely local activities developed and led by individual member campuses. An advisory Steering Committee made up of presidents, past presidents, provosts, faculty and student affairs staff help further link the national leadership with the campuses and provide a sounding board and brain trust for current and new initiatives. ADP’s work on the member campuses, across the national initiatives and at convenings has reached into all areas of academic and student life. The national initiatives – including Digital Polarization, Voter Education and Engagement, Global Challenges, Political Engagement, Stewardship of Public Lands and Measuring the Campus Civic Climate – along with the hundreds of campus activities focused on political engagement, community service, speakers, deliberative dialogues and citizen outreach, drive ADP’s ability to create opportunities for millions of students across the country to develop the awareness, knowledge and skills needed to become informed and engaged citizens.